RI, US sign science, technology cooperation deal

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Mon, 03/29/2010 8:30 PM

Indonesia and the United States signed on Monday a cooperation agreement in the fields of science and technology, paving the way for an exchange of information, ideas, knowledge and skills between scientists of the two countries.

Under the cooperation agreement, all Indonesian scientists will be able to continue existing cooperation and embark on new cooperation with their US counterparts, Indonesian Minister of Research and Technology Suharna Surapranata was quoted by Antara after signing the agreement with US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume.

The deal covers 23 fields, including science and technology, agriculture and biotechnology, medical and biomedical sciences, food security, marine research, energy, information and communication technology, aerospace, environment, forestry and biodiversity.

Suharna underlined that the agreement was based on the principles of equality and was aimed at supporting the development of national science and technology.

Indonesia and the US began their science and technology cooperation in 1978 and extended the cooperation until 2002, he said.

It was not until 2008 the two countries realized the importance of renewing the cooperation, he said.

Ambassador Hume said the US hoped the cooperation to help Indonesia grow as its strong partner.